Epidural Steroid Injections
The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention has announced that contaminated lumbar epidural steroid injections made by the New England Compounding Center have caused an outbreak of meningitis that could reach thousands of patients in over 23 states.
As of October 2012, 17,676 vials of the steroid have been sold, over 300 patients have been reported ill and 23 are dead from the national meningitis outbreak. Health officials believe that the steroid methylprednisolone acetate, produced by New England Compounding Center, was contaminated by a fungus.
Compounding pharmacies such as the New England Compounding Center have become popular in the medical field because of their ability to mix batches of drugs for lower prices than most major manufacturers. Compounding pharmacies are also regulated less heavily for drug safety and quality than large manufacturers.
If you or a loved one has contracted meningitis from a lumbar epidural steroid injection, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit. For a free legal consultation, contact the lawyers at Hissey Kientz, LLP by calling toll-free at 1-866-275-4454, or by filling out the free case evaluation form located on this page.